Hey guys, anybody know the ideal sfc setup? I'd like to design and build a set, but am not sure where to start. Basically, I want to go down both rocker panels (from some unknown front location to by the rear control arms), and from each side over to the transmission area by the tranny crossmember, right? Is there anything I am missing here, or is that the general idea? Please fill me in on anything else I need to know or other parts that I'll need to add to the plan. I know it is very basic right now, but hey, I'm just starting to try to figure this out.



[This message has been edited by MikeS (edited August 01, 2001).]

 

it's fairly easy to make a double rail design SFC for a thirdgen and be lot stronger for only a little extra weight gain

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

actually setup you're thinking is same as i'm planning to do. i already bought 80x40x3 U-profile to run all the way from rear wheel to front wheel. i'll weld that all the way to rocker pannels. on the rear i'll weld U-profile and lower arm mountings together with 40x3 staff. on the front driver side will be easy to connect almost anywhere but passenger side look more tricky because exhaust is there on the way. in fact i haven't choosen the profile i'd be use in front since it looks more tricky. with material i'd already choosen, weight is less than 10kg !

-P

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Pontiac Trans Am GTA'89

CC1 GW6 G80 JG1 L98 MXO N64 WS6 822

mods: firebird '89 four spoke steering wheel and i'm still not running low 13's yet!

 

ede,
Thanks for the reply. I'm just a little confused though. Is that a blessing? Or saying that I only need tubing along the rocker panels. I guess I should just go for it and it will turn out wonderful. Not sure when I'll get around to it, but I hope to start soon.

pontiac,
10kg?! That's what, 22.04623 pounds? Why U channel? Just for weight savings? I like the concept though.

 

for drag racing i don't think you could make it too stiff as far as SFCs go. maybe on a auto cross car you'd want some flex ,but i have no idea about that. when i made mine i looked at where i could run them from and it was fairly simple to run 2 rail on each side and weld the outer to the rocker panel. i doubt if you save any weight, gain any strength, or be easier to make using channel over rectangular tubeing.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

[This message has been edited by ede (edited August 02, 2001).]

 

Well, just to make it easier on you, the pic you put up is basically the Spohn SFC's. Just keep in mind exhaust and ground clearance. Plus the additional weight. Also certian classes won't allow some types of SFC's or at all.

And if you're just doing this for a street car, just put in a cage and off the shelf SFC's. It's easier and will add to the safety of your car. Anything is far better than stock when it comes to bracing in this area.

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Cody "cyZ28" Young
'84 black on black Z28

355, 5-speed (on the way out. What goes back in, ooohh baby!!)
http://www.geocities.com/mustang_tbird/codypage.html

[This message has been edited by cy Z28 (edited August 02, 2001).]

 

Thanks for the input everybody. This is for my everyday driver, so I don't need anything particularly great. Just better than nothing. I haven't gotten involved in any organized racing, although I'd love to run some solo autocross thru the cones sometime. Just for fun though. Anyways, I just kind of want to build some sfcs, that's the only reason i'm not taking the easy way out and buying some.

 

i have made SFCs, it's not hard, they all seem to work well. the price is only 20 or so dollars for the materials and there is something to be said for doing it yourself. i am a welder and fitter by trade so that may of made things a little easier for me.

 

yep, weight of that u-profile and staff together is less than 25 pounds. all that stuff cost here 98FIM, that's about 15USD. not bad for "cheap joe's" SFC i won't mind if the body still flex a little after i've welded those pieces together, at least i hope snaps, crackles and pops will be gone. additional strenght could be found easily just welding body parts together better than they did in the factory. Ede, i agree tubular construction will be stronger. once i weld those in place i'll tell the whole story and take some digicam pics to show how i did it.

- P